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Northern California: Wine Country, Mendocino & Redwoods: 6-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive

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The 6-day version for September: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 5-day plan · 6-day plan · best time to go.

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6
days
430 km
distance
13.5 h
driving
33
curated stops

💡 Good to know for this plan

Before you go · check live details

This is a planning draft. Check these changing details for your dates before booking or travelling.

Day 1 San Francisco

6 curated stops
Transit
0h53
Finish
~16:10
Temperature
12.0°C–23.1°C
Rainy days
~1
Daylight
12.2h
09:00
San Francisco public Golden Gate-and-city circuit parks.ca.gov map ↗
Use public city and Golden Gate heritage. Cruises, tours, shows and events remain separate.
50 min · San Francisco · Public areas; confirm current admission and opening before entry
10:00
Alamo Square Park sfrecpark.org read more map ↗
See iconic Victorian houses known as the Painted Ladies from the park.
50 min · San Francisco · 5AM - Midnight
11:05
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) sfmoma.org read more map ↗
Marvel at innovative modern art across multiple floors in a gigantic museum.
50 min · San Francisco · $25 adults, $22 seniors, $19 for ages 19-24, free for age 18 and under
open: Fri-Mon 10AM-5PM, Thu 1PM-8PM
12:05
Transamerica Pyramid transamericapyramid.com read more map ↗
Admire the city's tallest skyscraper, now an accepted urban landmark.
50 min · San Francisco
13:05
City Lights Bookstore citylights.com read more map ↗
Browse shelves filled with Beat literature and soak in historic literary ambiance.
50 min · San Francisco
open: 10AM-midnight daily
14:20
Golden Gate Bridge goldengate.org read more map ↗
Stand beneath the iconic suspension bridge linking San Francisco to Marin County.
50 min · San Francisco · $10.50 Pay-By-Plate, $10.25 w/ FasTrak account, more for vehicles over 2 axles (toll driving south into San Francisco; free on foot or bike)
open: Open 24 hours, occasionally closed Sun morning for events. Welcome Center: daily, 9AM-6PM
15:10
Crab House crabhouse39.com map ↗
Devour famous "Killer Crab" with Golden Gate Bridge views.
60 min · San Francisco · $18-60
open: Sun-Thu 11:30AM-10PM, Fri Sat 11:30AM-11PM
Overnight here
e.g. Fairmont Hotel · Hyatt Regency San Francisco
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 2 Around San Francisco

6 curated stops
Transit
0h54
Finish
~16:40
Temperature
12.0°C–23.1°C
Rainy days
~1
Daylight
12.2h
09:30
de Young Museum read more map ↗
Explore modern and ethnic art in a uniquely-designed museum with courtyards and gardens.
50 min · San Francisco · $15 adults, $10 seniors, $6 students, free for 17 and under; includes same-day admission to the Legion of Honor. Special exhibits may require extra admission; first Tuesday of each month free
open: Tue-Thu, Sat-Sun 9:30AM-5:15PM, Fri 9:30AM-8:45PM
10:30
California Academy of Sciences calacademy.org read more map ↗
Discover stunning exhibits and the unique Living Roof in this architectural marvel.
50 min · San Francisco · $34.95 adults, $29.95 seniors/students/teens, $24.95 children 4-11, free for ages 3 and under
open: Mon-Sat 9:30AM-5PM; Sun 11AM-5PM
11:40
Fort Point National Historic Site nps.gov read more map ↗
Explore robust brick casemates offering panoramic Golden Gate views and Civil War history.
50 min · San Francisco · Free
open: Video orientations, guided tours, self-guiding materials, exhibits, and publication sales are offered Fri-Sun 10AM-5PM
12:50
Lombard Street read more map ↗
Drive or walk the world's crookedest street with sharp turns.
50 min · San Francisco
13:50
Sts. Peter and Paul Church salesiansspp.org read more map ↗
Admire the neo-Gothic architecture of this iconic white cathedral.
50 min · San Francisco · Free
open: Sun Services: 7:30AM, 9AM, 10:15AM, 11:30AM, 12:45AM, 5:30PM Mon-Fri Services: 7AM, 8AM, 9AM, 12:15PM
14:50
Coit Tower sfrecpark.org read more map ↗
Take in sweeping bay and city views from the hilltop tower's vantage point.
50 min · San Francisco · $8 for elevator to top floor ($5 seniors/teens, $2 children 5-11, children under 5 free); the rest is free
open: May–Oct: 10AM-6PM daily; Nov–Apr: 10AM-5PM daily
15:40
House of Nanking houseofnanking.net map ↗
Experience sublime Moo Shu Pork at San Francisco's most famous Chinese restaurant.
60 min · San Francisco · $6-12
open: Mon-Sat 11AM-10PM, Sun noon-9:30PM
Overnight here
e.g. Fairmont Hotel · Hyatt Regency San Francisco
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 3 Napa & Sonoma

5 curated stops
Transit
2h27
Finish
~17:10
Temperature
12.4°C–29.6°C
Rainy days
~1
Daylight
12.2h
10:40
Napa public wine-country landscape-and-heritage circuit parks.ca.gov map ↗
Use public town and wine-country landscape heritage. Tastings, wine train, tours and golf remain separate.
50 min · Napa & Sonoma · Public areas; confirm current admission and opening before entry
11:45
Labyrinth at the Methodist Church search
Walk a serene replica of the Chartres Cathedral labyrinth.
50 min · Napa & Sonoma
open: Mon-Fri 11AM-2PM
12:50
Quent Cordair Fine Art cordair.com
Admire uplifting paintings and sculptures in a contemporary gallery.
50 min · Napa & Sonoma
open: 11AM - 5PM
13:55
Westwood Hills Park search
Take in valley views from trails and visit a children's nature library.
90 min · Napa & Sonoma
15:40
Skyline Wilderness Park skylinepark.org
Explore hiking, biking, and equestrian trails in a scenic park.
90 min · Napa & Sonoma · Entrance fee for vehicles: $6.00 (no extra charge for bikes or horse trailers), Bike/Walk-In/Horseback Ride In: $3.00.USD$
Overnight here
e.g. Embassy Suites Napa Valley · Napa Discovery Inn
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 4 Healdsburg

6 curated stops
Transit
1h54
Finish
~17:15
Temperature
12.6°C–23.4°C
Rainy days
~1
Daylight
12.2h
10:10
Healdsburg public town-and-wine-history circuit parks.ca.gov map ↗
Use public town and wine-history places. Tastings, tours, paddling, golf and performances remain separate.
50 min · Healdsburg · Public areas; confirm current admission and opening before entry
11:10
Healdsburg Museum healdsburgmuseum.org read more map ↗
Explore exhibits on the rich history of Healdsburg and Sonoma County.
50 min · Healdsburg · Free
open: Wed-Sun 11AM-4PM
12:10
Hand Fan Museum thehandfanmuseum.org read more map ↗
Discover a captivating collection of artistic hand fans near the Plaza.
50 min · Healdsburg
open: Wed-Sat noon-5PM
13:15
Healdsburg Center for the Arts healdsburgcenterforthearts.org
Discover vibrant events and exhibitions in a community-driven art space.
50 min · Healdsburg
open: Sun Mon Thu 11AM-5PM, Fri Sat 11AM-6PM
14:20
Paul Mahder Gallery paulmahdergallery.com
Browse extensive artworks from artists around the world in the largest local gallery.
50 min · Healdsburg
open: Wed-Mon 10AM-6PM
15:25
Upstairs Art Gallery upstairsartgallery.net
Explore a variety of art, jewelry, and crafts from 16 Sonoma County artists.
50 min · Healdsburg
open: Daily 11AM-6PM
16:15
Bravas Bar de Tapas starkrestaurants.com
Enjoy traditional Spanish and modern tapas in a cozy, highly-rated atmosphere.
60 min · Healdsburg
open: Sun-Thu 11:30AM-9PM, Fri Sat 11:30AM-10PM
Overnight here
e.g. Best Western Dry Creek Inn · Camellia Inn
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 5 Mendocino

1 curated stop
Transit
3h18
Finish
~14:10
Temperature
12.6°C–21.1°C
Rainy days
~1
Daylight
12.2h
12:20
Mendocino public headlands-and-village circuit parks.ca.gov map ↗
Use public headlands and village heritage. Paddling, spas and festivals remain separate.
50 min · Mendocino · Public areas; confirm current admission and opening before entry
13:10
Café Beaujolais cafebeaujolais.com map ↗
Savor Italian-leaning dishes in an intimate and internationally renowned setting.
60 min · Mendocino
open: Wed-Sat 11:30AM-9PM, Sun 9:30AM-5PM

Time to spare on this day

One stop and a free afternoon. We don't book activities, but these partners do.

Tours & day trips here →
Overnight here
e.g. Sea Rock Inn · Glendeven Inn
Find a stay →

Day 6 Eureka & the Redwoods

5 curated stops
Transit
4h04
Finish
~17:30
Temperature
13.1°C–15.8°C
Rainy days
~3
Daylight
12.3h
12:35
Humboldt Redwoods and Eureka public circuit parks.ca.gov map ↗
Use confirmed-open public Avenue of the Giants and Eureka heritage. Specialist trails, fishing and paddling remain separate.
50 min · Eureka & the Redwoods · Public areas; confirm current admission and opening before entry
13:35
Clarke Historical Museum clarkemuseum.org read more map ↗
You will see a rich collection showcasing the regional and cultural history of California's North Coast.
50 min · Eureka & the Redwoods
14:35
Old Town read more map ↗
Stroll through charming Victorian buildings filled with unique local shops and cafes.
50 min · Eureka & the Redwoods
15:35
Carson Mansion ingomar.org read more map ↗
Admire the intricate Victorian architecture and stained glass of this grand historic home.
50 min · Eureka & the Redwoods
16:40
Sequoia Park Zoo & Redwood Sky Walk sequoiaparkzoo.net read more map ↗
Explore one of California's oldest zoos and walk through a sky walk suspended above the ground.
50 min · Eureka & the Redwoods · Adults $24.95, Seniors/Military $22.95, Children (3-12) $12.95, Children 2 and under Free. Discounts for Humboldt County residents

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🔍 Check before you book

Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.

Sources (15)

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